Quantification of Total Phenolics, Flavonoids and Antioxidant Activities of Three Selected Tropical Fruits Grown In Nigeria

Antioxidant activity, total phenolic and flavonoid contents of tissues of three tropical fruits (pineapple, soursop and African bush mango) grown in Nigeria were determined. Samples of pineapple peels and pulp, soursop and African bush mango pulp and seeds were freeze-dried and methanolic extracts prepared using ultrasound assisted extraction method. Qualitative phytochemical screening for antioxidants was carried out in addition to quantification of total phenolics and flavonoids using Folin–Ciocalteu and aluminium chloride colorimetric methods, respectively. Antioxidant activity of the fruit tissue extracts was determined using FRAP and DPPH assays. Data obtained were analysed using ANOVA at p<0.05. Qualitative screening showed the presence of phenolics, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, alkaloids, glycosides and carbohydrates in all the samples. Total phenolic content ranged from 61.5±0.12 mg GAE/g dw in African bush mango pulp to 550.7±0.33 mg GAE/g dw in Soursop pulp. Soursop pulp exhibited the highest flavonoids content (224.7±3.48 mg QE/g dw) while African bush mango pulp (43.1±2.91 mg QE/g dw) had the lowest. DPPH assay showed that Soursop pulp had the highest free radical inhibition (84.3%±0.26), while the lowest inhibition (52.1%±1.75) was obtained in African bush mango pulp. FRAP values ranged from 7.19±1.83 μM in African bush mango pulp to 28.59±0.18 μM in pineapple peels. The peels, seeds, and pulps of the selected tropical fruits contain substantial antioxidant activity and several bioactive substances that could serve as functional foods with the potential to be utilised in nutraceutical industries that could thereby have positive influence on the health of consumers. Keywords: Phytochemical, Pineapple, African bush mango, Soursop, Tropical fruit

Nutritional value and sensory properties of sorghum gruel enriched with sweet potato and date palm flour

Background: Sorghum gruel is a breakfast cereal that is commonly eaten by adults and also used as complementary food for infants in southwest Nigeria.Objective: To determine the nutritional value and sensory properties of sorghum gruel enriched with date palm and sweet potato flour using different proportions.Methods: The study was experimental in design. A total of seven composite samples [A- G] were produced from the mixture of different concentrations of sorghum flour [SF], date palm flour [DPF] and sweet potato flour [SPF]. Sample A served as the control containing 100% of Sorghum while samples B to G were mixtures of SF, DPF and SPF prepared in ratio 50:10:40; 50:20:30; 50:30:20; 50:40:10; 50:50:0 and 50:0:50w/w respectively. Proximate composition and selected minerals of the samples were determined using standard methods. Each sample was prepared into gruel using standard recipe and their sensory attributes were assessed using a nine-point hedonic scale. Data obtained were expressed as mean ±S.D and analysed using Duncan Multiple Range Test.Results: The carbohydrate content ranged from 56.97% to 75.9%; protein content ranged from 5.84% to 7.29% and fat content ranged from 3.25% to 20.05%. Sample A had the highest carbohydrate content, sample G had the highest protein content and sample E had the highest fat content). Iron content ranged from 124.43mg to 825.63mg, calcium content ranged from 0.05mg to 0.13mg, zinc content ranged from 2.63mg to 34.21mg, magnesium content ranged from 0.01mg to 0.15mg. Calcium concentration in samples E and F were significantly higher than in other samples [p<0.05]. Sample F had the highest iron content, sample E had the highest magnesium concentration and sample D had the highest zinc content (p< 0.05). Sample A had significantly low amount of micronutrients compared with other samples [p<0.05]. In terms of overall acceptability, samples B, C and D were significantly rated higher than other samples (p<0.05).Conclusion: Enriching sorghum with date palm and sweet potato flour significantly improved its nutritional qualities especially the protein and micronutrient contents and has potential to be used as complementary food for infants.Keywords: Enriched sorghum gruel, Date palm flour, Sweet potato flou

The Discharging Ears In Adults In Ibadan, Nigeria Causative Agents And Antimicrobial Sensitivity Pattern

In an attempt to study the microbiology of discharging ears, ear swabs were taken from 347 adult patient with discharging ears in the University College Hospital, Ibadan between March 1995 and February 1997. The presumptive diagnosis and indication for ear swabbing were chronic suppurative otitis media (67.1%), acute suppurative otitis media (14.4%) and otitis externa (18.2%). Using standard microbiological methods, 82.4% of the patients had microbes in their ears. These were identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa (34.6%), Staphylococcus aerus (19.4%), Klebsiella species (17.4%) and Proteus species (12.5%). Others were Candida albicans and Aspergillus species. Susceptibility result showed that ceftazidime, azithromycin, ceftriaxone, cefuroxime and gentimicin were active against majority of the bacterial isolates and are therefore recommended as first line drugs, while the quinolones should be kept as reserve durgs in the management of these conditions. In addition antifungal cream should be used as wick in dressing, as well as systemic metrondazole to take care of the anaerobes. (Af. J. of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology: 2002 3(1): 3-5

Toxicological evaluation of the stem bark of Burkea africana hook. (Caesalpiniaceae) in wistar rats

Burkea africana Hook. (Caesalpiniaceae) is used traditionally to treat ulcers, headaches, skin disease and tumors. The study investigated the acute, sub-acute and chronic toxicity profiles of the ethanolic extract of Burkea africana stem bark. Rats of either sexes were used in this study (n=10). For  acute toxicity, a single dose of 5,000 mg/kg was administered while for the sub-acute and chronic toxicity study, three doses (40, 200 and 1000  mg/kg) of the extract were administered orally for 28 and 90 days respectively. At the end of each study, the biochemical, hematological and  histological parameters were evaluated. No mortality or behavioral changes were observed in the acute toxicity study. Extract caused significant  changes in the hematological parameters after the sub-acute toxicity study. In the chronic toxicity study, the extract caused significant increase in  the white blood cell count of the 200 mg/kg group. There was significant increase in the platelet count of treated groups compared to control in the sub-acute and chronic toxicity studies, with an observed total mortality of all the animals in the 1000 mg/kg group on the 44th day. No adverse pathology was observed in the organs examined. The extract elicited a hematological response and short term consumption of the extract at low doses might be relatively safe. However, long term consumption at high doses should be discouraged

Nosocomial infections: urinary tract infection in patients with indwelling urinary catheter

With the aim of studying the pattern of urinary tract infection in patients with indwelling urinary catheter in the University College Hospital, Ibadan, a total of 164 patients were recruited. A questionnaire was administered to each pateint to provide information on demographic data, clinical diagnosis, and symptoms and signs suggestive of urinary tract infection. Catheter specimen urine from each of the patients was cultured to identify the agents of infection. Antimicrobial sensitvies of the isolates were done. It was found that 54. 8% of the patients were above 50 years of age, with a male to female ratio of 2: 1. Benign prostatic hyperplasia was the most common indication for catheterization.83. 5% and 16.5% had Intra-urethral and supra pubilc cathrterization respectively. 69. 5% of these patients had urinary tract infection with 90. 40%. 9.6% and 0.9% harbouring 1.2 and 3 organisms respectively. Intake of antibotics did not influence the incidence of urinary tract infection. The common agents of infection were klebsiella spp; Pseudomonas spp. Escherichia coli, Proteus spp. Staphylococcus aureus and candial albicans in order frequency. The bacterial agents of infection were resistant to ampicillin, cotrimoxazol and nitrofuradantion commonly used for the patient with urological problem. Ceftazidime, ceftrazone, pefloxacin and ofloxacin showed good sensitivity against the bacteria. These finding should be useful for those who manage patient with indwelling urinary catheter. (Af. J. of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology: 2003 4(1): 63-71